I taught till about 6 years ago at what is called a "Learning Area". What that means is the area is close to metro areas so ALOT of people take their baby steps on skiis here. Our group lessons on big days were packed with first timers who were likely headed to a chairlift at lessons end whether we got them there or not. As instructors we were up to our necks in students wanting to learn. We did our best to get a group of 6 to 12 students up the baby chair so we could have that first chair ride end safely. I got some tips but most of my clients figured we were paid well I guess. We got our kicks and joy by jawing about the day I got 18 first time adults up the chair or somebody got their fist timers down a black in one lesson. We would have loved tips cause we were paid 8 bucks an hour. One student, or 18. Privates went to the elite fleet. (Teachers with senority). They probly got tips on top of that too. We wouldn't have cared but some of em were bogus instructors and thought they were above teaching kids.
The downfall to "learning areas" was we did our job too well. The hill was so small that once they learned, they turned to a bigger hill, or just bombed along with their crew, learning on the way. Return lessons were nonexistent, so any effort you spent was the next area instructors reward.
Of course I would've enjoyed more recognition and reward, but knowing I taught them to ski safely and that learning to turn made their day, was, and still is, good enough for me
